The goal of geography instruction is to provide an understanding of the human and physical characteristics of the Earth’s places and regions, how people of different cultural backgrounds interact with their environment, and how the United States and the student’s home community are affected by conditions and events in distant places. Geographic themes include location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and region. Geographic skills include the ability to use maps, globes, and aerial imagery; interpret graphs, tables, diagrams, and pictures; observe and record information; and assess information from various sources.